How to Write a Strong Eviction Letter

How to Write a Strong Eviction Letter (with Samples)Use these sample eviction letters as templates for your formal eviction letter.Last updated on January 18th, 2019

One of the most unfortunate parts of being a landlord is evicting a tenant. Eviction is a costly and time-consuming process. To keep costs at a minimum, eviction proceedings must be executed sooner rather than later. The first step in the eviction process is to write an eviction letter or demand letter which is to be served to the tenant.

​A demand letter should inform the tenant of his delinquency, solutions to fix this delinquency and the time period to fix this delinquency. For any landlord, writing and serving a demand letter is difficult. But the sooner this is achieved; the sooner the landlord’s cash will flow.

Here are the steps to writing an eviction letter:​

Know the Eviction Laws in Your Area – Before you write a demand letter, make sure you are familiar with the eviction laws in your area. In the United States for instance, eviction laws vary from state to state and even between counties.​​​​​​In general, most US states require landlords to allow the tenant from 30 to 90 days to vacate the property. To know the exact laws in your area, contact the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. For specific state laws you can also contact the Department of Consumer Affairs for that particular state.

The business-style format should be used when writing an eviction letter. The letter should have a professional tone and approach the matter in a formal way. On the left hand margin, the tenant’s name with a formal salutation and the address must be included.

On the right hand margin, the landlord’s name and address must be placed. The date will then be included underneath the name and address of the landlord.​

​The first part of the letter’s body informs the tenant that he is in violation of the terms of the lease. This should include the landlord’s business, the tenant’s name and the date of the lease. The letter should then go into detail as to reason why the tenant is in violation of his lease.

​Period of Time

The letter should list the steps that the tenant must take to remedy the situation within a period of time. This could range from 3 days to 60 days. For eviction due to non-payment of rent which is the most common cause of eviction, a three-day notice is required.

​Other evictions such as non-payment of utilities, late fees and violation of non-monetary obligations also require a three-day notice. For evictions of tenants on a month-to-month lease, the landlord is required to give a 30-day notice. For those who have lived on the property for more than one year a 60-day lease is required.

Closing the Letter The landlord should then sign the letter, address it to the tenant and send it through certified mail.

​Sample 1 - Eviction LetterNote: The letter must clearly state the reason for the eviction as well as the landlord’s intended further action if the tenant fails to leave the property within the stipulated time limit. The letter should be written in formal business style and be brief and to the point. It should be courteous and not contain any angry words even if the tenant has behaved improperly. The name of the landlord and the name of the tenant as they appear on the lease contract should be mentioned in the letter. ​

Eviction Letter Sample

Date

Name of TenantAddress of TenantCity, State, Zip of Tenant

Name of Landlord, landlord, hereby give Name of Tenant, AND ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS HOLDING UNDER THEM, thirty (30) days notice to vacate the rental unit located at Street Address, City & State.

The reason(s) for the eviction:​Reason #1Reason #2Reason #3

YOU MUST VACATE THE PREMISES BY Date to Vacate (30 DAYS AFTER SERVICE).

If you remain in the premises on or after the date that you are specified to vacate, then the landlord can seek to enforce this termination through the judicial process. At this time you can present a defense. If a meeting is requested, then the landlord or his agents will discuss your violations and the proposed lease termination.

You are advised to defend your actions in a court of law. Your failure to answer to this termination notice does not constitute a waiver of your rights to contest the landlord’s actions in judicial court.

Respectfully,

Signature

Landlord Name

​Sample 2 - Eviction LetterNote: For legal purposes, it is essential that the landlord has proof that the tenant received the letter. If it is to be given by hand, a written receipt must be taken from the tenant at that time. If it is sent my mail, certified mail should be used that will give a record of the time and date the letter was received. The landlord should keep copies of any correspondence in this matter.

This letter is a formal notification that I, Name of Landlord, am asking you, Name of Tenant, to permanently quit the premises of Tenant’s Address. You have failed to pay the $500 rent for the past four months, and were sent a Notice to Quit on DATE in which you were asked to pay your rent in full in 30 days or you would be evicted. I have enclosed a copy of this Notice. Since that Notice, you have not paid any rent.

You have violated the lease agreement that you signed on DATE in which it states that you will pay the rent before the fifth of each month. As of the date of this letter you owe me $2000.

I hereby request you to pay the above-mentioned amount within 5 working days of receipt of this letter or vacate the premises. If you fail to do this, I will be compelled to file an eviction suit against you. I would appreciate your cooperation in this matter.